I started the 365 last year- there is another thread floating around, I will see if I can find it.
To answer a few q's...
You don't need to be professional, nor know anything about photography. I didn't and I have leart SO much through the last year. You can participate as little or as much as you like on the boards. There are competitions and suggestions posted as to what to photograph, or you can just do what you want to.
The photos are public. They are there for everyone to see. If you want something private for only certain people to look at, the 365 project is not for you.
You can use what ever kind of camera you have/want- phone, ipod, antique or fancy shmancy camera.

HTH